Folks Singer Kate McGarrigle Dead at 63
January 19, 2010 5:48 AM Subscribe
Folk singer Kate McGarrigle succumbs to cancer. Perhaps best known for her work with sister Anna, Kate was also the mother of performers Martha Wainwright and Rufus Wainwright. Kate and Anna's music was covered by more popular (in the US) performers, such as Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, and others. My favorite thing they did is "The Log Drivers Waltz", available as a video from the National Film Board of Canada. It always takes me back to my mother's house in the Canada.
The McGarrigle website has lots of news, information, and links on the performers.
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posted by grabbingsand at 6:05 AM on January 19, 2010
posted by grabbingsand at 6:05 AM on January 19, 2010
Oh, no. I've heard Rufus & his mom perform together (at least on the radio) and it's clear that they loved one another. I think the Morning Becomes Eclectic piece is this one - clicky - they sound so good together.
RIP Kate. You were beautiful, and your children are beautiful.
posted by Medieval Maven at 6:07 AM on January 19, 2010
RIP Kate. You were beautiful, and your children are beautiful.
posted by Medieval Maven at 6:07 AM on January 19, 2010
"For he goes burling down and down white water, that's where the log driver learns to step lightly..." Man, this going to be in my head for days - heck, it's been in my head for years.
I remember watching CBC as a kid and hoping this video would come on every time there was a commercial break. I'll admit, I still don't really know much about the McGarrigle sisters, but I do know that the Log Driver's Waltz made my Canadian childhood even more awesome.
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posted by futureisunwritten at 6:11 AM on January 19, 2010
I remember watching CBC as a kid and hoping this video would come on every time there was a commercial break. I'll admit, I still don't really know much about the McGarrigle sisters, but I do know that the Log Driver's Waltz made my Canadian childhood even more awesome.
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posted by futureisunwritten at 6:11 AM on January 19, 2010
I'm also back at mom's house, sad to hear this news.
Anyone more expert on their work than I am:
One of their most moving songs was in French, and all I remember is that one of the lines (in English translation) mentioned something about bones dug up or buried or something like that... would love to listen to it again, anyone know the one I am talking about?
posted by Meatbomb at 6:14 AM on January 19, 2010
Anyone more expert on their work than I am:
One of their most moving songs was in French, and all I remember is that one of the lines (in English translation) mentioned something about bones dug up or buried or something like that... would love to listen to it again, anyone know the one I am talking about?
posted by Meatbomb at 6:14 AM on January 19, 2010
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posted by runningdogofcapitalism at 6:33 AM on January 19, 2010
posted by runningdogofcapitalism at 6:33 AM on January 19, 2010
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posted by saucysault at 6:45 AM on January 19, 2010
posted by saucysault at 6:45 AM on January 19, 2010
wow. such incredible talent! and then to find out a few years back that she's the mother of rufus & martha? genes like that should never die, let alone succumb to cancer.
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posted by msconduct at 6:51 AM on January 19, 2010
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posted by msconduct at 6:51 AM on January 19, 2010
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posted by Halloween Jack at 6:59 AM on January 19, 2010
posted by Halloween Jack at 6:59 AM on January 19, 2010
Holy crap. I didn't even know she was sick. This is so terrible.
posted by mykescipark at 7:06 AM on January 19, 2010
posted by mykescipark at 7:06 AM on January 19, 2010
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posted by quarterframer at 7:07 AM on January 19, 2010
posted by quarterframer at 7:07 AM on January 19, 2010
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posted by kittyprecious at 7:10 AM on January 19, 2010
posted by kittyprecious at 7:10 AM on January 19, 2010
She had been sick for several years and I had the impression that this had not been easy for her. Wikipedia says 2006, and that sort of jibes with my memory.
The McGarrigles did a bunch of Christmas concerts through the mid 2000, with the whole family, Loudon Wainwright, Martha and Rufus' father, sometimes included. Even though this was on the largest stage in Ottawa, it still managed to feel like a kitchen party. They are all, even Rufus, very much regular folks. Even then though it was obvious that Kate was making a real effort to just be there.
They're an amazingly talented family, mothers, fathers and children. Clearly a close and tight family as well. I'm certain that she will be missed, very much.
posted by bonehead at 7:13 AM on January 19, 2010
The McGarrigles did a bunch of Christmas concerts through the mid 2000, with the whole family, Loudon Wainwright, Martha and Rufus' father, sometimes included. Even though this was on the largest stage in Ottawa, it still managed to feel like a kitchen party. They are all, even Rufus, very much regular folks. Even then though it was obvious that Kate was making a real effort to just be there.
They're an amazingly talented family, mothers, fathers and children. Clearly a close and tight family as well. I'm certain that she will be missed, very much.
posted by bonehead at 7:13 AM on January 19, 2010
(The sisters themselves sing this one).
posted by Turtles all the way down at 7:14 AM on January 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Turtles all the way down at 7:14 AM on January 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
Meatbomb - I'm not sure which song it would be (the track names don't provide any obvious clues) but you're probably looking for a song off one of the sisters' French-language CDs: Entre la Jeunesse et la Sagesse, or La Vache Qui Pleure. Previews of those should put you on the right track.
posted by Shepherd at 7:23 AM on January 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Shepherd at 7:23 AM on January 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
Having a sibling to harmonize with is such a beautiful, life-long gift. This is very sad news.
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posted by readery at 7:31 AM on January 19, 2010
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posted by readery at 7:31 AM on January 19, 2010
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I remember watching CBC as a kid and hoping this video would come on every time there was a commercial break.
Me too. "The Log Driver's Waltz" was this great random magical glimpse of some parallel universe of fluid, flawless motion. It's probably only in retrospect I'm thinking it made the assembly-line '70s cartoons surrounding it look like shit. Anyway, this is probably as good a place as any for a quick eulogy for a time when "commercial" breaks on the CBC consisted of brilliant National Film Board animation set to McGarrigle sisters soundtracks.
Yes, also Hinterland Who's Who and Participaction PSAs, but still: .
posted by gompa at 7:39 AM on January 19, 2010
I remember watching CBC as a kid and hoping this video would come on every time there was a commercial break.
Me too. "The Log Driver's Waltz" was this great random magical glimpse of some parallel universe of fluid, flawless motion. It's probably only in retrospect I'm thinking it made the assembly-line '70s cartoons surrounding it look like shit. Anyway, this is probably as good a place as any for a quick eulogy for a time when "commercial" breaks on the CBC consisted of brilliant National Film Board animation set to McGarrigle sisters soundtracks.
Yes, also Hinterland Who's Who and Participaction PSAs, but still: .
posted by gompa at 7:39 AM on January 19, 2010
Oh man that's really too bad.
The first time I saw Rufus, probably 8-10 years ago at Lee's Palace here in Toronto, he brought her up on stage and they sang a few songs together with her at the piano; I remember "What'll I Do" being one of them. But the best thing was when the show was over, after we milled around and drank too much and the bar was finally shutting down, we walked out onto the street and Kate and Rufus and Martha and various other family members were standing on the sidewalk in front of their bus, waiting to leave. They were just kind of talking and joking but then someone starting singing some old folk song and when they all joined in it turned into this beautiful family Wainwright/McGarrigle singalong in a circle on the Bloor Street sidewalk at 2am. It was like this überCanadian moment and it made me want to be in their family.
posted by chococat at 7:51 AM on January 19, 2010 [15 favorites]
The first time I saw Rufus, probably 8-10 years ago at Lee's Palace here in Toronto, he brought her up on stage and they sang a few songs together with her at the piano; I remember "What'll I Do" being one of them. But the best thing was when the show was over, after we milled around and drank too much and the bar was finally shutting down, we walked out onto the street and Kate and Rufus and Martha and various other family members were standing on the sidewalk in front of their bus, waiting to leave. They were just kind of talking and joking but then someone starting singing some old folk song and when they all joined in it turned into this beautiful family Wainwright/McGarrigle singalong in a circle on the Bloor Street sidewalk at 2am. It was like this überCanadian moment and it made me want to be in their family.
posted by chococat at 7:51 AM on January 19, 2010 [15 favorites]
Some music:
Cool River
Tant le Monde
Hard Times
Gentle Annie
My Brother Was In the Battle
posted by ardgedee at 7:59 AM on January 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
Cool River
Tant le Monde
Hard Times
Gentle Annie
My Brother Was In the Battle
posted by ardgedee at 7:59 AM on January 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
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posted by Badmichelle at 8:05 AM on January 19, 2010
posted by Badmichelle at 8:05 AM on January 19, 2010
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posted by ottereroticist at 8:12 AM on January 19, 2010
posted by ottereroticist at 8:12 AM on January 19, 2010
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posted by Fuzzy Monster at 8:27 AM on January 19, 2010
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 8:27 AM on January 19, 2010
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posted by eustacescrubb at 8:33 AM on January 19, 2010
posted by eustacescrubb at 8:33 AM on January 19, 2010
Early Saturday morning, pitch-black freezing cold outside, strangely-branded cereal, and Ms. McGarrigle.
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posted by aramaic at 8:50 AM on January 19, 2010
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posted by aramaic at 8:50 AM on January 19, 2010
Happy and surprised to see so many people knew and loved Kate McGarrigle.
I didn't know her but I knew her kids a little bit a few years ago when both were getting their start here in Montreal, and I remember one night meeting and chatting with Kate at the back of the (then-Bistro 4, now it's Laika) on the Main. Even in that short chat - during which I was (surprisingly to me) a little star-struck and she was probably anxious that Rufus to perform well it, was clear that she was a delightful person.
So...
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posted by mikel at 8:57 AM on January 19, 2010
I didn't know her but I knew her kids a little bit a few years ago when both were getting their start here in Montreal, and I remember one night meeting and chatting with Kate at the back of the (then-Bistro 4, now it's Laika) on the Main. Even in that short chat - during which I was (surprisingly to me) a little star-struck and she was probably anxious that Rufus to perform well it, was clear that she was a delightful person.
So...
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posted by mikel at 8:57 AM on January 19, 2010
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posted by elsietheeel at 9:10 AM on January 19, 2010
posted by elsietheeel at 9:10 AM on January 19, 2010
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posted by SarahElizaP at 9:16 AM on January 19, 2010
posted by SarahElizaP at 9:16 AM on January 19, 2010
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posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 10:14 AM on January 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 10:14 AM on January 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
O
/|\
/ )
...o.o.o.o.o.o.o.... .
posted by benzenedream at 10:24 AM on January 19, 2010 Just now the CBC played Kate and Anna's "Heart Like A Wheel" in her memory...which is how I found out she had passed away. I didn't realize she had been so ill. Lovely song, sad news.
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posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:26 AM on January 19, 2010
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posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:26 AM on January 19, 2010
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posted by languagehat at 10:34 AM on January 19, 2010
posted by languagehat at 10:34 AM on January 19, 2010
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posted by badrolemodel at 10:41 AM on January 19, 2010
posted by badrolemodel at 10:41 AM on January 19, 2010
If I could shape a period like a teardrop.
Her hair was dyed black, and she was bending down...
posted by bicyclefish at 10:54 AM on January 19, 2010
Her hair was dyed black, and she was bending down...
posted by bicyclefish at 10:54 AM on January 19, 2010
♪
posted by Smart Dalek at 11:02 AM on January 19, 2010
posted by Smart Dalek at 11:02 AM on January 19, 2010
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posted by joannemerriam at 11:36 AM on January 19, 2010
posted by joannemerriam at 11:36 AM on January 19, 2010
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posted by fourcheesemac at 11:43 AM on January 19, 2010
posted by fourcheesemac at 11:43 AM on January 19, 2010
Rufus has posted a lovely comment on his mom's death.
posted by Medieval Maven at 11:49 AM on January 19, 2010
posted by Medieval Maven at 11:49 AM on January 19, 2010
"Who'll rock the cradle, who'll sing the song
Who'll rock the cradle when I'm gone?"
RIP, Kate.
posted by Rangeboy at 12:21 PM on January 19, 2010
Who'll rock the cradle when I'm gone?"
RIP, Kate.
posted by Rangeboy at 12:21 PM on January 19, 2010
The Log Driver's Waltz
My parents played their records all the time when I was a kid, and I still know all the words even though I haven't heard them in years.
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posted by bewilderbeast at 12:28 PM on January 19, 2010
My parents played their records all the time when I was a kid, and I still know all the words even though I haven't heard them in years.
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posted by bewilderbeast at 12:28 PM on January 19, 2010
Hardly a week goes by that I do not hear, in my head, snatches of Naufragee Du Tendre (Shipwrecked) or Be My Baby or Kitty Come Home , from the McGarrigle Sisters' second album, Dancer With Bruised Knees. That was a wonderful record.
posted by y2karl at 12:56 PM on January 19, 2010
posted by y2karl at 12:56 PM on January 19, 2010
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posted by fleetmouse at 1:17 PM on January 19, 2010
posted by fleetmouse at 1:17 PM on January 19, 2010
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posted by madamjujujive at 2:43 PM on January 19, 2010
posted by madamjujujive at 2:43 PM on January 19, 2010
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posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 3:41 PM on January 19, 2010
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 3:41 PM on January 19, 2010
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posted by louche mustachio at 3:51 PM on January 19, 2010
posted by louche mustachio at 3:51 PM on January 19, 2010
Rufus Wainwright's comment linked above is odd in that he starts with
"When inevitably I read today in the papers that my mother lost her battle with cancer last night".
posted by Rumple at 6:02 PM on January 19, 2010
"When inevitably I read today in the papers that my mother lost her battle with cancer last night".
posted by Rumple at 6:02 PM on January 19, 2010
the tears are welling in my eyes again
i need twenty big buckets to catch them in
twenty pretty girls to carry them down
and twenty deep holes to bury them in*
* kate & anna guesting on nick cave's "hallelujah" (no, not that one)
posted by UbuRoivas at 6:41 PM on January 19, 2010
i need twenty big buckets to catch them in
twenty pretty girls to carry them down
and twenty deep holes to bury them in*
* kate & anna guesting on nick cave's "hallelujah" (no, not that one)
posted by UbuRoivas at 6:41 PM on January 19, 2010
The McGarrigles appear in another National Film Board of Canada animated short, for which they arranged and sang background (also appearing briefly as the titular insects): Blackfly.
Not sure what else to say, but Kate and Anna provided me with so much wonderful music.
posted by myopicman at 11:50 PM on January 19, 2010
Not sure what else to say, but Kate and Anna provided me with so much wonderful music.
posted by myopicman at 11:50 PM on January 19, 2010
"For he goes burling down and down white water, that's where the log driver learns to step lightly..."
I'm reading Out Stealing Horses (fabulous) and thought of this during a chapter where a character falls off the logs... just beautiful.
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posted by ameliajayne at 1:17 PM on January 20, 2010
I'm reading Out Stealing Horses (fabulous) and thought of this during a chapter where a character falls off the logs... just beautiful.
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posted by ameliajayne at 1:17 PM on January 20, 2010
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posted by OneOliveShort at 4:43 PM on January 20, 2010
posted by OneOliveShort at 4:43 PM on January 20, 2010
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posted by RussHy at 5:52 AM on January 19, 2010